The Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit group founded in 1977, has chartered a national commission of business, government and civil society leaders that will work together to develop a pathway and recommendations to reduce energy use in the U.S. transportation sector by 50% by 2050 while meeting future mobility needs.
The new commission, chaired by Audi of America President Scott Keogh and National Grid U.S. President Dean Seavers, includes Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto (D) and Fort Worth, Texas, Mayor Betsy Price (R), along with leaders representing vehicle manufacturers, utilities, federal agencies, environmental and consumer groups, infrastructure providers and public transit.
The new Alliance Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficiency (the “50 by 50” Commission) will work through six Technical Committees (Light-Duty Vehicles; Non-Road Vehicles; Heavy-Duty and Freight Vehicles; Enabling Infrastructure; Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Shared Mobility and Automation; and Outreach and Implementation) to develop the regulatory, policy and investment pathways to achieve the “50 by 50” energy use reduction goal.
Following an outside peer-review process, the commission will publish a final report and engage local, state, and national officials, key stakeholder groups and the public to act on the recommendations.
Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, says, “The response to our invitations has been overwhelming, and we’re eager to see this group bring forward consensus-based, aggressive plans that will inspire public leaders, the business community and the public.”
“We’re at a fascinating time in the transportation industry,” says Scott Keogh, president of Audi of America. “The way in which vehicles are powered and how they’re driven is evolving. We’re at an inflection point, and we have an opportunity, as an industry and a sector, to leverage that transformation for the benefit of society. I’m proud to join this commission and work with key stakeholders across the business community to see that we fully capitalize on the potential that comes with electric, shared and automated vehicle technologies.”
“As our region shifts its attention to efficiency in the transportation sector, we must be ready to support our customers and communities in that transition with services, infrastructure, and affordable solutions,” says Dean Seavers, U.S. president of National Grid. “I’m proud to be part of developing a path forward that works for the people we serve and moves the dial on the fight against climate change.”
To view an extensive list of the “50 by 50” commissioners and committee chairs, check out the full announcement here.